Joanne Hill

Gifted a book by one of the authors of this wonderful anthology I spent a few days reading learning about what the Christmas Season “down under” might be like. I learned new terminology, met hunky men who steamed up my reading glasses, met women that were strong but open to the idea of love, and thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading each and every one of the stories in this collection.

Treats to Tempt You by Serenity Woods
Skye and Owen meet on a plane and feel a spark that was not acted upon until they meet again by chance at a street fair. Owen and his dog, Mozart, work in the Far North of New Zealand and are in charge of the rescue service in the area. Skye has baggage to get through before she and Owen can have their happily ever after. I have to say that Owen is one of the men in this anthology that was choice. He knew how to treat a woman and was so very real and wonderful that he put a smile on my face just as often as he put one on Skye’s. Great story!

Christmas with the Boss by Annie Seaton
Jilly is off to have a much needed holiday vacation at the beach only to find that her hunky boss, Dominic, is staying in the neighboring house. He is very surprised to find out she is staying where she is and she eventually finds out that the house might be more than she bargained for. Work place romances are frowned on by both of them but what about when one is on holiday? This is a fun story with an interesting paranormal twist.

Christmas Holiday Hearts by Kris Pearson
This second chance at love story brings together Tony and Ellie. They met several years before on a holiday in Sydney and never expected to see one another again but they never forgot one another. Ellie, unknowingly, is hired to tutor Tony’s daughter over the school holiday and thus begins a tumultuous, sizzling, conflicted relationship that has secrets that need to be shared, danger to deal with and trust to be found.

Just for Now by Rosalind James
Jenna, an American, came to New Zealand as the wife of Jeremy. One day her dreams are abruptly shattered and she finds herself taking a year or so off to determine what she will do next. She eventually finds herself nanny to Finn’s children and so the story begins. Finn plays rugby for the All Blacks and this story helped me to understand more about rugby than I knew before. Having read one other book in this series it was fun to see some of the characters again. Finn is a rugged, determined and wonderfu guy – Jenna is delightful, knowledgeable and great with kids. I really enjoyed this one, too!

Promising Penny by Joanne Hill
Michael has always been like another brother to Penny – or so it has seemed to Michael. In this story Michael and Penny begin to explore the idea that perhaps Michael can be more than a brother figure in Penny’s life. Penny has goals and dreams for her future and hopes to fulfill them. This was an interesting story about loss, love, friends, family, empowerment and so much more.

Hide Your Heart by Tracey Alvarez
I have read and loved every one of Tracey Alvarez’s books! This is a story of what is truly important in life - love. Lauren has had bad experiences but has a loving son, Rottweiler and family to support her. Nathan has been all over the world but never really felt he could have roots and a family. Drew’s project threatens Lauren’s security but she is drawn to him anyway. As their relationship progresses they have many obstacles to overcome and much sharing to do before they can have their happily ever after.

Great stories, great writing, and a great anthology – I highly recommend it!… (plus d'informations)

What a wonderful introduction to fine writers of stories based in New Zealand and Australia! Many of these authors I have never read before but will read again in the future. Thank you to the authors for giving me this boxed set to read and review!

Melting into You by Tracey Alvarez: Book 2 in the Due South series finds Ben Harland faced with an eight year old daughter he did not know even existed. His steamy friendship with Kezia Murphy has its ups and downs as he learns to be a father.

Playing to Win by H. Y. Hanna: Another sweet story in the Summer Beach Vets series. This time Ellie is the one to find love. (Must confess this is the only one I still have left to read and am definitely looking forward to doing so when I finish typing!)

The Playboy’s Redemption by Diana Fraser: Book 3 in the Mackenzies series was my first book by this author. Mac and Susie knew one another when they were teenagers and come together again during the sale of a winery. Are there embers still smoldering or have they all been put out?

Falling for Jack by Joanne Hill: Jack Fletcher and Robyn Taylor meet years after attending the same high school. Jack has done well for himself and Robyn is pursuing a different dream from the one she had in high school. A previously unknown son appears in Jack’s life and Robyn steps in to help as a temporary nanny.

Just for You (Escape to New Zealand) by Rosalind James: The steamy story of Hemi and Reka introduced me to new Maori terms, a bit more about Rugby than I ever knew before and provided a wonderful read.

The Boat Builder’s Bed (Wicked in Wellington) by Kris Pearson: The big issue in the path to love in this story is decisions made regarding what one does with one’s child. Past experiences and lack of communication and trust creep in to foil love, at least for a while, but eventually there is a happily ever after.

A Secret Between Friends (Treats to Tempt You) by Serenity Woods: Two friends go to war and one injured lieutenant returns. How she is received back home, who is still her friend, who blames her for the loss of the other who did not come and how grieving takes place are all included in this love story.… (plus d'informations)